The Sobrato High softball team finished in the middle of the pack with a 7-7 record in the ultra-competitive Blossom Valley League Mount Hamilton Division last season. Coach Julie Cognetti expects this year’s squad to notch a couple of more wins in league play.
“I have high expectations because we have a lot of good talent,” said Cognetti, who is in her first season at Sobrato after being the assistant coach at Leland last season. “We’ve got a lot of returners and a young pitching staff—all sophomores—but they’re capable of pitching well.”
Cognetti has confidence in pitchers Alexis Parish, Maya Heffernan and Julie Martin in delivering their best when the team needs it the most.
“They all throw different speeds, so it should be a good combination,” she said. “Maya and Lexi have speed and movement on their pitches, and Julie throws a little slower but with movement as well. I’m excited to see what they do.”
Alexis’ sister, Samantha, is a junior catcher who has made a verbal commitment to play at Santa Clara University. So has Alexis. Samantha has proven to be a strong leader, and Cognetti knows the team is in good hands whenever the sisters are on the field.
“Samantha is real vocal, super positive, a great hitter,” Cognetti said. “Both Parish sisters are phenomenal. They’re great teammates and probably the hardest workers on the team. I’m looking for them to do a lot of great things.”
Ally Nodohara, who has a partial scholarship to play at UC Santa Barbara, had a double in the team’s loss to Valley Christian Monday. Nodohara, a first baseman/center fielder, possesses plenty of pop in her swing, and fellow senior Ashley Burke—who has an academic scholarship and will play softball at Division III program Huntingdon College in Alabama—gives Cognetti plenty of reason for optimism.
“Ally is quick, a lefty and a superstar wherever I put her,” Cognetti said. “Ashley hits the ball hard and is another one of our leaders. She’s a good communicator outside of the field and kind of handles things for me when we need messages relayed to the team. She’s kind of my go-to player to make sure the girls know what they’ve got to do.”
Samantha Brenny, a senior shortstop/second baseman, does an excellent job of communicating with the infield to make sure everyone is in the proper position defensively. She will probably end up as one of the team’s leading run producers. Alexis Parish hits leadoff and uses her speed to get into scoring position and wreak havoc on the basepaths. She finished with two hits against Valley Christian, a perennial Central Coast Section power.
The Bulldogs can expect promising things from freshman Lindsey Martin, whom Cognetti describes as “strong and powerful.” Deanna Mendes, a senior utility, possesses a good arm and reads the ball well on defense. At third base, sophomore Madison Fisher and freshman Hailey Cognetti will vie for playing time. Junior Bella Romani also figures to be a key player at shortstop. With all the underclassmen serving pivotal roles, it’s no wonder Julie Cognetti sees a bright present and future for the team.
“The girls have been conditioning since December, and they’re a real positive group and hard workers,” Cognetti said. “They love playing the game and being out there, which is sometimes hard to find in a team. So there is a lot to work with, and that always makes you feel good.”
